Best Practice Update

 A dark image with the word "FRAUD" in white lettering on a black background, with a magnifying glass over the F. Below "FRAUD" are the words "Awareness" in orange text. In the bottom-left corner, a person in a black hoodie and a white mask holds a phone and has a finger to their lips in a shushing gesture. In the bottom-right corner is a circular logo for "Data Protection Officer" with the website "dataprotection.law/education".

Given the Public Sector Fraud Authority estimates that every year between £39.9 billion and £58.5 billion of taxpayer's money is subject to fraud and error, it's no wonder the UK Government has published some guidance about fraud awareness.

 A blue graphic with three children peering over a dark blue banner. The banner has white text that reads "Back to School Basics: Data Protection & Cyber Security." To the left of the text is a stack of school books with a red apple on top. To the right is a laptop displaying a logo with the text "Data Protection Education."

As schools begin to welcome back students, staff and new joiners, the focus is on the new academic year: curriculum planning, safeguarding and operational logistics.  An equally critical and statutory area that demands attention is data protection and cyber security compliance.  Adhering to data protection law isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about protecting sensitive personal data of children, their families and staff.

 A detailed flowchart titled "Accountability Framework" showing how the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) framework and DfE (Department for Education) Digital Standard Trackers align. The central hub is "Accountability Framework" with ten radiating branches, each representing a key area: Leadership & Oversight, Risk Management, Policies & Procedures, Individual Rights, Response & Enforcement, Monitoring Verification & Reporting, Transparency, Records Management & Security, Contracts & Data Sharing, and Training & Awareness. Each branch connects to a box labeled "DfE Digital Standard Trackers," with several icons and checklist boxes underneath. The bottom of the image lists various tools and resources, including "Best Practice Library," "Retention Schedule," "Phishing simulations," "Risk Register," and "Accountability Tracker," which are all linked to the main framework. The overall image illustrates a comprehensive system for achieving and tracking data protection compliance in an educational setting.

The ICO Accountability Framework is a crucial tool for any organisation handling personal data, providing a structured approach to data protection compliance. When applied to the Department for Education (DfE) Digital Standards, it becomes a powerful mechanism for schools and trusts to ensure their technology and data practices are not only efficient but also legally compliant and secure.

  1. Social Media Day 2025
  2. How Ofsted looks at AI during inspection and regulation
  3. Preschool Employment tribunal for the use of WhatsApp
  4. Data Breaches 2025 Report Highlights
  5. Not everyone needs access: The Key to Protecting Sensitive Data
  6. West Lothian Schools in Cyber Attack
  7. National Honesty Day: Transparency
  8. FOI Request - BBC News
  9. Social Media and Marketing Guidelines and Training
  10. New Governor Resources
  11. Does stress lead to more data breaches?
  12. Are teachers using AI? 83% say its a time-saver
  13. DfE Digital Standards - narrowing the digital divide
  14. Arbor AI - On By Default
  15. DfE Guidance: Choosing a new MIS
  16. HCRG Care Group data breach
  17. The Importance of AI literacy and training staff
  18. Short Guide to AI Video
  19. Safer Internet Day, Cyber Security & Data Protection
  20. The Cyber Resilience Championship
  21. The Multiple Dimensions of Supplier Due Diligence
  22. School shares sensitive pupil information as part of an FOI response
  23. Blacon High School Cyber Attack
  24. WhatsApp and FOI's: ICO Warnings
  25. New AI Guidance from the DfE
  26. What the proposed Government legislative proposal around cyber crime means
  27. ICO report on AI tools in recruitment
  28. DfE update to record keeping and management
  29. Update to data sharing for school immunisation programmes
  30. Early Years Settings and Cyber Security
  31. SLT Digital Lead Profile
  32. The role of governors in cyber security and data protection
  33. Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
  34. Contracts Register
  35. DfE Digital Standards Autumn Update
  36. The importance of knowing how to access your CCTV footage!
  37. Cyber Attack on a Special School
  38. Stealing children's data
  39. What is dark data? (and why does it matter?)
  40. Ofqual highlights the value of cyber security training in schools
  41. Searching for data when you receive a Subject Access Request
  42. Fylde Coast Academy Trust Cyber Attack This Week
  43. Calling all IT leads in schools and mult academy trusts!
  44. Ransomware cyber attack on a school in Bromley
  45. Join Our Social Media Family!
  46. School hit by Cyber Attack
  47. Cyber Security Best Practice Area
  48. DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges Tracker
  49. New Policies, Documents, Letters and Posters page
  50. Schools and Trusts Best Practice Area
  51. The DPE Retention Schedule
  52. Making the Rounds Update (now includes reporting)
  53. ESFA Cyber Essentials Requirement for Colleges from 2024/2025
  54. ICO Reprimands a School
  55. Out of date technology
  56. Data Retention and the Pupil File
  57. Have you assigned your SLT Digital Lead yet?
  58. Getting Started with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
  59. Cyber attack on a school during half term
  60. The rise of cyber attacks in schools are causing pupils to miss classes
  61. ICO: Learning from the mistakes of others report
  62. Cyber attack on a Trust; the aftermath
  63. School Focus: The Vale Federation | Aylesbury
  64. DfE Dealing with Subject Access Requests (SARs) Guidance
  65. Update to the Guidance on Information Sharing from the DfE
  66. FOI Requests generated by Artificial Intelligence
  67. Social Media Best Practice Area
  68. Lettings Best Practice Area
  69. MFA Bombing - What is it?
  70. Protecting your Social Media Accounts
  71. Checklists - Are They Your Most Powerful Compliance Tool?
  72. Product Focus on Checklists : Initial Trust Plan
  73. Product Focus on Checklists : End of Term Checklist
  74. Product Focus on Checklists : Information and Cyber Security
  75. Product Focus on Checklists : Social Media
  76. Product Focus on Checklists : Lettings
  77. Product Focus on Checklists : Record of Processing
  78. Milk Island: The secret location that allows children to view restricted content on Google Maps
  79. Why Data Should Stay Put: Benefits of Keeping Data in Its Original System
  80. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Retention and Destruction
  81. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Migration
  82. Product Focus on Checklists : Biometrics
  83. Product Focus on Checklists : Supplier Due Diligence
  84. Free Cyber help, advice and training with the Cyber Resilience Centres
  85. The Perils of Paper: The Printing Vulnerability
  86. Product Focus on Checklists : FOI
  87. Product Focus on Checklists : Governors and Data
  88. Product Focus on Checklists : DPIA
  89. Product Focus on Checklists : Site Moves
  90. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Breaches
  91. Product Focus on Checklists : Subject Access Requests
  92. Product Focus on Checklists : Bring your own device
  93. Product Focus on Checklists : Working out of school/offsite
  94. Cyber Attack on a School
  95. Product Focus on Checklists : Redaction
  96. Why Due Diligence is Important: Fake apps
  97. Product Focus on Checklists : CCTV
  98. Product Focus on Checklists : Clear desk
  99. Product Focus on Checklists : Commitment to compliance
  100. Product Focus on Checklists : Photos and video
  101. Product Focus on Checklists : Passwords
  102. Product Focus on Checklists : Information Classification
  103. Free cyber training for staff
  104. DfE Digital Standards Update
  105. The Mother of all Breaches
  106. International Data Transfers (part 1): Navigating Cross-Border Data Transfers: Understanding EU SCCs, UK Addendum, and UK IDTA
  107. ClassCharts Possible Data Breach
  108. Where is your data stored?
  109. IAPP looks at AI privacy risks
  110. If you suspect a financial scam .....
  111. School Focus: St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School | Brighton
  112. Guardians of Privacy: 16. Social Media Checklist
  113. Guardians of Privacy: 15. Navigating Social Media in Educational Settings Summary
  114. Guardians of Privacy: 14. Social Media and Cyber Bullying
  115. Guardians of Privacy: 13. Social Media, Copyright and Intellectual Property
  116. Guardians of Privacy: 12. Social Media and Going Viral
  117. Guardians of Privacy: 11. Staff Social Media Accounts
  118. Guardians of Privacy: 10. Social Media and Cookies
  119. Guardians of Privacy: 9. Social Media and Morality
  120. New Resources for Schools from the ICO
  121. Guardians of Privacy: 8. Social Media Policies
  122. Guardians of Privacy: 7. Social Media Data Retention
  123. Guardians of Privacy: 6. Posting Safely
  124. Guardians of Privacy: 5. Social Media and Consent
  125. Guardians of Privacy: 4. Social Media Access Control
  126. Guardians of Privacy: 3. Social Media Channels
  127. Guardians of Privacy: 2. Law and Regulations
  128. The ICO reprimands a Multi Academy Trust
  129. Guidance for the use of school email and applying email retention in schools
  130. Data Protection Tips for Early Years Settings
  131. Children's Privacy around the world is a puzzle
  132. Trust Initial Plan Checklist Update
  133. Records Management Best Practice Update
  134. What do I need to redact?
  135. Trust Initial Plan for Data Protection Compliance (for Multi Academy Trusts)
  136. Google for Education Resources: Helping IT Admins meet DfE digital and technology standards
  137. Lettings Best Practice and Guidance
  138. Considerations when migrating to a new MIS
  139. Public bodies and sensitive data
  140. Get a DPE Badge for your website!
  141. ICO: 10 Step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
  142. Help after a Cyber Attack/Incident
  143. Data Protection and Cyber Security (Inset Day) Training Ideas
  144. How KCSIE is linked to Cyber Strategy
  145. Handling Freedom of Information Requests the right way
  146. Where's Harry the Hacker?
  147. The ICO Reprimands a school
  148. Redaction Guidelines Updated
  149. Using WhatsApp in Schools
  150. How to contact us for support, subject access requests, data breaches and FOI's
  151. FOI: Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
  152. FOI: Henry Jackson Society
  153. FOI: Vaccination Justifications
  154. How the Record of Processing Can Help You
  155. What does a Data Protection Officer Do?
  156. Carrying out Supplier Due Diligence
  157. How Long Should You Keep Personal Data For?
  158. B&H FoI: Racist/religious incidents/bullying
  159. Protocol for Setting Up and Delivery of Online Teaching and Learning
  160. Class Dojo International Data Sharing
  161. Model Publication Scheme: Amendments, Improvements and Updates
  162. Transparency
  163. Research projects and GDPR
  164. Secure file transfer of files using Royal Mail
  165. Emergency contacts and consent
  166. Key elements of a successful DPIA
  167. FOI Publication Schemes
  168. Best Practice for Managing Photos and Video
  169. New Drip Feeds: Recognise and Respond to Subject Access Request
  170. When to contact the Data Protection Officer?
  171. National child measurement programme
  172. Headteacher fined for breach of data protection legislation
  173. Acceptable Use Policy

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